Plant of The Week

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an aromatic herb that symbolizes happiness and is believed to ward off evil spirits. Sweet marjoram, or knotted marjoram as it is known, is cultivated particularly for its culinary uses. This bushy and herbaceous plant is…

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a household name in complementary and homeopathic herbal remedies for inducing sleep. This herb has hypnotic, sedative, and anti-spasmodic properties. It is often a common ingredient in sleep aid medicine and mild sedatives. Some companies are…

Curly dock (Rumex crispus), sometimes called yellow dock, is mostly known as a nuisance agricultural weed. And with good reason! Curly dock is not only a long-living perennial with abundant seed production, but its seeds also survive in the soil…

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) is a deciduous tree that grows in a cold climate. It is also known as the red elm because of its reddish-brown inner heartwood. But what earns its popular name is the slippery and gooey mucilage…

Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) is a native California medicinal plant with a Spanish name that means “sacred herb.” The plant earned its name for its potency in healing many medical problems. This aromatic shrub bears a cluster of creamy white…

Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.), known by many as pigweed, is an abundant garden weed. This common plant is a North American native that is not only edible but also holds a host of potential health benefits. As food sovereignty evolves from…

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small palm tree with fan-shaped leaves and sharp-spined stalks. It is often used as an ornamental and landscaping plant due to its attractive textural accent. In the horticultural trade, the silvery-leaf varieties are the…

Plantain (Plantago major), or broadleaf plantain, is a common plant typically dismissed as a weed that thrives abundantly in lawns. It has rosette leaves growing close to the ground and interestingly grows a leafless stem that bears spikes of flowers.…

Licorice or Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a sweet-sounding name that relates to candies that some people love and others hate. But, it is a plant you can grow. Licorice is an ingredient in some herbal supplements, teas, or candies. The…